Maybe THIS Is Why Your Vagina Is Always So Uncomfortable

Silk has a reputation for being the ultimate nice fabric. Cotton? Sure, fine. Polyester? That's for riff-raff! But silk — especially for intimates and lingerie — seems to be the gold standard. But, your gyno may not agree.

Truth is, even though silk sounds and feels luxurious, the best fabric for your vagina may actually be plain old cotton. "Cotton in general tends to be non-irritating to your skin," Raquel Dardik, MD, of the Tisch Women's Health Center says. "The external skin around your vagina is like regular skin, but just a little bit more sensitive. So if you have material that irritates your skin normally, you might have minor inflammation to the area."

Advertisement

It's not just a skin issue, though. Cotton is known to be one of the most breathable types of fabrics out there, which makes it better for your skin — and also your vagina. "Most of the synthetic fabrics, as well as silk, are not that breathable," Dr. Dardik says, "and for women who have sensitive skin and yeast infections, the most breathable material is really what works best."

Why? Well, yeast thrives on moisture — so if you trap moisture in your fussy silk underwear, you're creating a prime breeding ground for an infection (ouch). "Of course, if you're the kind of person who never has issues with vaginal irritation and infections, you can wear whatever you want," Dr. Dardik says. But if you're prone to annoying vaginal problems, opting for an all-cotton underwear — or at the very least with cotton lining — is your best bet.

Still, we wouldn't want to deprive you of buying cute lingerie, chill boy shorts, even the thongiest thongs that your underwear drawer needs. So we went ahead and rounded up 30 pretty — and breathable! — underthings for you, your wardrobe, and of course your vagina.

1 of 22

ThongsThe problem with thongs isn't so much the shape, but the fit. Some doctors might say that using a thong increases your risk of a UTI, due to the fabric moving around and thus redistributing bacteria in the area. Generally, however, if the thong fits well — and it's breathable — you should be in good shape. If not? "When the edge of the thong rubs against the side, that will cause irritation," Dr. Dardik says. "You don't want the fabric rubbing right against the labia; you want to cover your vaginal area without rubbing in-between."

This means there's no particular right or wrong type of underwear. Instead, you have to find the underwear that fits you best. One known favorite? This lacy — but still cotton-lined — pair from Hanky Panky.

Everyday UnderwearA few things to look out for here: You don't want the underwear to ride up — because it'll cause the same problems as a thong — but you also don't want it to be too tight. "You want to minimize friction as much as possible," Dr. Dardik says, "because if there is friction, it's likely to cause irritation." This not only goes for the seat of the underwear, but also the waistband.

This basically invisible underwear comes in a variety of neutral colors, adhering to your curves with ultra-stretchy fabric.

BoyshortsFor extra comfort — but also a flawless finish — boyshorts offer more coverage but a thong-like line, meaning these will hide under short skirts and pants seamlessly. Still, the same rules apply: Opt for 100% cotton if possible, and find the right fit to avoid any friction.

Cosabella Never Say Never Cheekie Extended Hotpant, $36.50, available at Cosabella.